Your Guide to a Royal Experience in Victoria, British Columbia

It’s Victoria Day! In honor of celebrating Queen Victoria’s birthday, we’ve created an inspirational travel guide to Victoria, British Columbia. Victoria was named after Queen Victoria in 1843, and the provincial capital is the most British city in Canada. Create your own royal experience with our travel guide below.

Stay in Victoria, British Columbia

Located at the inner harbour in Downtown Victoria, Best Western Plus Inner Harbour is a short way from major attractions like the Royal British Columbia Museum, Parliament Buildings, and Beacon Hill Park. With complimentary breakfast and an award-winning staff, top off your royal experience by booking the Harbour View Suite. The regal penthouse is complete with views of the harbour, a fireplace, and a kitchen.

Sip in Victoria, British Columbia

Tea and beer culture both have rich histories in Victoria, dating as far back as the 1800s. Grab one or both beverages when you’re in Victoria, to add on to your royal experience.

Beer has been brewed in Victoria longer than anywhere else in British Columbia, dating back to 1858; Victoria is home to Canada’s first brewpub and the heart of the craft beer revolution. Check out “Brewery Bay,” a walkable cluster of pubs and breweries in downtown Victoria, to find the perfect pint.

Tea culture in Victoria dates to the 1840s when the British introduced the tradition. Grab Afternoon Tea at the White Heather Tea Room. The “Big Muckle” is their signature afternoon tea set, and includes hor d’oeuvres, dessert bars, tea sandwiches, scones, and pots of tea.

To-Do in Victoria, British Columbia

Travel like royalty in a classic, horse-drawn carriage. Tally-Ho Carriage Tours has been servicing Victoria for 118 years and is the best way to see the charming city. Choose a tranquil, 45 minute ride in Beacon Hill Park, Victoria’s 200-acre park. The park is picturesque due to its views of the Pacific Ocean, the Olympic Mountains, and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and your trip in a horse-drawn carriage will sure to be give you a unique perspective.

Finish your trip to Victoria with a stroll through the beautiful, world-renowned The Butchart Gardens. With millions of plants, over 900 varietals, and 55 acres of gardens, there’s a bloom for everyone. The gardens have been around for over 100 years, and boasts a Sunken Garden, Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, and Mediterranean Garden.